Differentiating Yoga and Pilates: All You Need To Know

May 4, 2016
, Justin J , Comments Off on Differentiating Yoga and Pilates: All You Need To Know

Over the years, the fitness world has evolved dramatically. Nowadays, exercise junkies know and can attest that all weights and cardio will no longer cut it.

This discovery is partly responsible for the seemingly cult following both yoga and Pilates have enjoyed through the years. While often connected, interchanged, and used in the same sentence, there are distinct difference between yoga and Pilates not many are aware of.

Pilates

Born in Germany in 1880, Joseph Pilates had to deal with several medical challenges as a child such as rheumatic fever, asthma, and rickets.

His determination to combat his afflictions has turned him into an exercise renaissance man of sorts at the age of 14. By then, he was already an accomplished diver, skier, gymnast, and wrester. He has also posed as model for anatomical parts.

When he was interned for a year in England during World War I, he taught internees the fitness regimen he has developed. Apparently, those who embraced and practiced his program were able to survive the influenza epidemic that claimed thousands during that time.

Once referred to as Contrology (the study of control), Pilates is also often referred to as “moving meditation.” This non-impact system is ideal if you wish to develop peerless core strength and great posture. Done consistently, it is your trusted ally in developing powerful, bio-mechanically efficient, and uniformly sculpted muscles.

Yoga

While yoga’s exact history and origin is uncertain, it is believed to be at least thousands of years old, with yoga postures depicted as drawings dating back to as early as 3000 BC.

Introduced in the nineteenth century, yoga started as a movement for vegetarianism and health. Over the years, it has evolved into a myriad of styles available for practitioners today. While there are diverse styles to pick from, the five principles of yoga remains contant—asanas (proper exercise), pranayama (correct breathing), saucha (proper diet), dhyana (positive thinking and meditation), and savasana (complete relaxation).

What are Some of the Key differences between Yoga and Pilates?

Every movement in Pilates extends through the limbs and emanates from the center or the core. Yoga on the other hand emphasizes breath concentration first and foremost before focusing on mastering and deepening a pose.

In yoga, practitioners use either a heat-inducing and smooth breath known as the ujjayi or a rapid one that produces internal heat referred to as kapalabhati. In Pilates however, a controlled, slow, and diaphragmatic breath is employed in most of its exercises.

Yoga is focused mainly on enhancing the flexibility and strength of the limbs and the spine while Pilates works on promoting abdominal strength first before focusing on overall flexibility and symmetrical musculature.

In yoga, majority of the poses are done standing and makes use of gravity in order to lengthen the body. However, there are also a number of poses that are carried out on the floor such as twists, bends, and plows, among others. In Pilates, many of the exercises entail lying down, either side-lying, on the back or supine, and on the stomach or prone. Movements are designed to engage and lengthen the abdominal muscles and defy gravity.

Yoga is a lifestyle and any exercise benefits are as a result of this approach whereas Pilates is targeted and is more musculoskeletally oriented.

Taking into account all the superb benefits yoga and Pilates has to offer, it is no doubt wise to incorporate both in your daily exercise routine.